This past week, I was fortunate to participate in this “International Multiplier Training” held in Pustomyty, Lviv region (Ukraine).

I say I was lucky, not only for having been accepted, but because after my adventure to arrive to Ukraine, let’s say yes, I was lucky. It wasn’t easy for one simple reason, which is that, as good Spanish I didn’t check my passport before traveling, and of course, the border controls check this sort of things…

In short, everything happens for a reason and that reason is to learn. From now, I doubt I’ll forget to check my passport before traveling outside Europe, so everything has its positive side. In short, thanks to the help of a good friend and the Spanish Embassy in Warsaw, I could travel back to L’viv!

Now I will tell you a little about this project …

“International Multiplier Training” has born as an initiative of several organizations like: SCI Germany, AVI Moldova, ArmActive Armenia, AVIT Ukraine… and is organized with the financial support of German Federal Foreign Office.

“The initiated project is a set of activities aiming at raising young peoples and societies awareness on cultural aspects of different conflicts, at the same time by passing Intercultural Learning and Non Violent communication competences to youngsters to prevent and/or lower the possibilities of future conflicts”.

The project is developed in four phases:

The first Phase, was this first training that I have attended, which aim was to raise awareness on cultural aspects of different conflicts, at the same time empowering participants in Intercultural Learning (ICL) and Non Violent communication competences as preparation for the youth villages (“The Second Phase”).

How we get this knowledge? The week was full of workshops, activities and games. You might think this was a kind of vacation but no! We had little time for the “free time”. From 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. we were immersed in the training and after dinner, we attended workshops that other participants proposed or to the presentations of thedifferent countries which we represented.

This was very interesting considering that the presentations ended with a tasting of typical food or drink, accompanied by dances and music of the country, so we were going to bed very excited and happy!

The content of the program for the week included: Intercultural Training, Conflict & Peace, Propaganda & Social Media, Role of Multiplier, Facing Conflict, Peace Management Solutions, Human Rights… Issues that we understood and integrated through games and reflections.

Second phase: “Universal Youth Village” exchange – as leaders and trainers or participants. The objective of this phase will be:

Create a platform (time and space) for young people and civil society organizations to share their expertise and experience about cultural aspects of conflicts

To foster partnership and networking between young people from different cultures and countries

To develop participants leadership skills

To declare the willingness of new generation of dealing with conflicts in a peaceful ways

To improve intercultural competences

To develop non- violent communication skills

To raise awareness and/or change attitude towards “otherness”

To increase CSO’s expertise on dealing with different type of conflicts in a Non Violent way.

Third Phase: 4 Days “Open Space” in Armenia, wich consist in:

Self organization conference on the topic of “Cultural Aspects of Conflicts”

Implementation of local activities/projects planned during the Open Space.

Fourth Phase: Publication (online/CD) of the results of Open Space Conference – Book of Proceedings and inputs from participating CSOs and Experts.

I really hope attending the remaining phases, in order to integrate all these theoretical and practical concepts, and get the necessary capacity to become a “Leader on Intercultural Learning, Non Violent Communication/Peace Education and Conflicts”, able to speak better and with confident about these issues and able to give workshops about it.

At the end of this experience, I can say also that I feel satisfied with the personal development and growing – know another country, share different cultures with their different realities, reflect and learn about the mentioned issues taking always into account the respect and tolerance…

Everything has been a learning that has enriched me so much personally and professionally, opening horizons to new prospects of future career.

For this experience and the opportunity to meet so many nice people from this part of Europe, I say thanks!